Children’s entertainer distributes indecent images of children

A children’s entertainer was arrested, charged and convicted of distributing indecent images of children after being caught with a large stash of child abuse photos, prosecutors in the United Kingdom said.

Now, the Conwy man who pleaded guilty to 20 charges including the making, possessing and distributing indecent images of children, possession of extreme images and supply of a Class A drug, has been sentenced to two years in prison.

50-year-old Mark Whincup, a well-known children's entertainer, was also required to remain on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Gareth Preston, Senior Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service Cymru-Wales, said: "Mark Whincup has been sentenced for offenses that the vast majority of people will find totally unacceptable.

"As a children's entertainer, Whincup was well aware of issues relating to the safety and protection of children and young people, so his offenses represent a particularly unpleasant breach of trust.

"While we do not believe that any of the indecent material found in Whincup's possession relates to his work in North Wales, these are images representing the sexual exploitation of young and often extremely vulnerable children.

“They represent real children and real victims of abuse. Those who have such images in their possession are directly or indirectly, supporting the continuation of this abuse.

"The Crown Prosecution Service is committed to ensuring that those who seek to exploit children in this way, are brought to justice."